Diamond Jig Lures
Diamond Jigs are narrow and shiny metal lures
Diamond Jig Lures are good lures to use for catching striped bass when the predominant bait are sand eels .
A good example of diamond jig lures are AVAs, shown below.
AVAs come in numerous sizes and weights. Show above are from left to right: A007, A 17, A 27, A47 and A67.
The A007 and A17 are the most popular sizes used by surf fishermen, as they are a good match to the size of sand eels. However to get more casting distance, especially into the wind, an A27 is often used.
The A27, A47, and A67 are most popular when jigging from a boat, the weight being dictated by sea state and drift rate.
Follow this link to see: AVA Diamond Jigs
AVA and Teaser
Often fishermen use both an AVA and a teaser, with the teaser mounted maybe 20 inches above the AVA on a dropper loop, or seperate leader.
Both the AVA and the teaser look like sand eels. The heavy AVA allows you to cast further, and on retrieve it stirs up the bottom, and draws some attention. You may catch a double header.
Good teaser choices include sparsely tied streamer type flies and soft plastic lures. Follow this link to find out more about Teasers.
Some fishermen like to slide a soft plastic tube on the shank of the hook to give the lure some color.
Green, red, black and yellow are the colors most used. Some days the stripers seem to like one of these colors better than others, or sometimes plain - no color.
Another metal lure to use when the prevalent bait is narrow bodied, like sand eels, is a Deadly Dick, shown below.
Deadly Dick
Follow this link to see: Deadly Dick Lures on Amazon.com
Hammered Diamond Jigs
Some fishermen prefer Hammered Diamond Jigs and some prefer gold.
Jigging Tips for Striped Bass
Select a jig weight that allows a mainly vertical jig, considering drift rate. If the lure gets much more than vertical, reel in and redrop.
For diamond jigs a good technique is to achieve a subtle action, keeping the jig bouncing along the bottom. Lift the jig by raising the rod tip, then quickly lowering it. This causes the jig to flutter to the bottom, an action that resembles a wounded bait fish.
Also sometimes try lowering the jig to the bottom, then cranking it up quite aways, then dropping it again. See what works and keep doing it.